I walked across a terrace taking in an iconic coastal view after a 90-minute Natura Bissé facial at the Pelican Hill spa. My skin was at its most radiant, and I entered a dinner where I would spend the next hour picking up squished blueberries and noodles being thrown on the floor and quietly singing to prevent my tablemates from screaming. I was here to answer a question: Is it a futile effort to try and incorporate wellness into trips when you’re a toddler parent?
To find out, I checked into The Resort at Pelican Hill, a luxury resort in Newport Beach, CA, just about an hour south of Los Angeles. It spans 500 acres with stunning coastal views and Italian-inspired estates.
I’d stayed at the hotel several times before I had children and relished spending the morning at the Coliseum pool, the world’s largest circular pool, followed by an afternoon at the spa, then a beach walk and dinner. This was my first time returning with kids, however. While I didn’t get to enjoy quite as many wellness activities as I had in the past, it still ended up being the most restorative trip I’ve taken with my children, and the moments of relaxation were enough to cancel out the sibling squabbles and food throwing.
Keep reading to learn about my experience staying at The Resort at Pelican Hill with young children.
About The Resort at Pelican Hill
- The Resort at Pelican Hill has 332 rooms, including bungalows, which range in size from 847 to 2,486 square feet, and villas ranging from 2,220 to 3,581 square feet.
- The Spa has an extensive treatment menu with an emphasis on massages and facials.
- There are both adult-only and family-friendly resort pools.
- Nightly rates start at $995 depending on the season and time of the week.
- Restaurants include the Italian-inspired Pelican Grill, Coliseum Grill, and Villa Club Dining, available to guests staying at the villa.
- The world-class Pelican Hill Golf Club spans 36 holes.
What I Like About The Resort at Pelican Hill
The Resort at Pelican Hill is inclusive of families but not exclusively families. By that, I mean it’s not overrun by screaming children. It’s a resort 25 minutes from Disneyland that offers world-class golf (two 18-hole courses) and a luxurious spa. Throughout my stay, I met several families who had spent a few days at the Disney hotels and were giving their nervous system a reset before returning home from their vacation.
Everything about the hotel is luxurious: ceilings are high, the property spans over 500 acres, and rooms aren’t just rooms, they are bungalows and villas that range from 847 to 3,581 square feet. We stayed in a three-bedroom villa, which came with a full gourmet kitchen, laundry machine, dining room, and ocean-view terrace. I’ve traveled frequently with my toddlers on multiple trips to Japan, Canada, and Mexico, but this was our first time staying in such large accommodations.
One benefit of the villa was that my children could sleep in different rooms rather than next to each other in the miracle invention that is SlumberPods with white noise machines working overtime. Delightfully, everyone slept well. When we arrived in the villa after being cramped in our car during our drive, there was a noticeably positive shift in everyone’s mood knowing we’d have much more space.
Since dining out with our kids can be stressful (my youngest daughter just learned about throwing food), we incorporated some room service meals at the villa, where we got to relax and take in the breathtaking views. (The sunsets were 10/10.)
The hotel staff was very accommodating when I requested they remove the coffee table so my kids would have a larger space to play. I never felt like I was inconveniencing them for asking for accommodations for my kids; they have seen it all. At check-in, my kids were greeted with a treasure basket and were able to pick out a toy. They also had a play tent in their room, which included duplicates of toys so each child could have their own.
The expansive property offers plenty of areas for walking, including delightfully wide sidewalks for my massive double stroller. Throughout the property, we found plenty of grassy areas for our kids to get their energy out. There are also shuttles that were never more than a five-minutes wait after we requested them.
With its focus on wellness, The Resort offers various activities including hikes, yoga, and workout classes. I’ll be honest and say that I had a long list of activities I wanted to accomplish during my two-day trip: a beach walk, yoga, hike, four- to six-mile run, the pool, etc. With kids, I didn’t get to cross everything off my list, but I was able to make time for yoga, the spa, and time at the pool, and it was excellent.
Here’s the thing: If I wasn’t staying at such a wellness focused hotel, I wouldn’t have gotten in any exercises or spa treatments while traveling with my family, so I consider this a win.
As for the famed golf course, my husband, an avid golfer, described the course as a “risk-reward course with pristine greens and ocean views.”
And lastly, all the food we tried was delicious. The prices were expensive but the portions were large – enough for us to bring some back to our room to snack on while the kids slept. The standout was the Pelican Grill, where I ordered risotto prepared in a wheel of parmesan cheese. Admittedly, I ordered it for the entertainment factor for my kids, but it turned out to be the best risotto I’ve ever had.
What to Consider Before Booking The Resort at Pelican Hill
One thing to be mindful of is The Resort at Pelican Hill does not offer a kids club. This wasn’t an issue for us since my children are under 4 and therefore aren’t old enough to enjoy kids clubs yet. I also feel like this ended up being an unexpected benefit since it fostered a more relaxing, child-friendly environment . . . rather than feeling like summer camp.
Who The Resort at Pelican Hill Is Best For
Having traveled to The Resort at Pelican Hill several times over the last decade, I recommend it first and foremost for families. The hotel is so expansive and well set up for groups. In the past, I’d traveled with my husband’s family and there was always a table for our group of ten.
My husband reflected that it would make for a fun golf trip among friends. The Resort at Pelican Hill would also be well suited for celebrations like honeymoons, anniversaries, and babymoons, especially for those who want a feel of Italy in California.
Is The Resort at Pelican Hill Worth the Trip?
I’ve lived in Los Angeles for almost 20 years and find Pelican Hill to be one of the truly stunning and special properties in the vicinity. That being said, it is a five-star property and its nightly rates are steep. For a special occasion, like a family gathering or a few days of recovery at the end of a trip to Disneyland, I don’t think you’ll find anything as luxurious and restorative.
Rating
Genevieve Farrell Roston (she/her) is an award-winning filmmaker and the director of video at PS. She oversees the Webby-nominated PS Fit video series, which makes fitness fun and accessible. She has more than 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. A certified personal trainer, she loves running, Pilates, and rest days. As a mom of two, she is an avid reviewer of children’s gear and products.
